She's also a volunteer with the Galveston chapter of the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network. As a member of its critical care team, Shuttlesworth recently helped rehabilitate a dolphin in Corpus Christi.

"I always grew up with pets — dogs, cats and even a horse," said Shuttlesworth, originally from Texarkana. "I have always felt deeply about animals. I was always the kid in class who seemed to be the one crying over the strays."

About six years ago, Shuttlesworth pulled some friends together for a "frank, no-holds-barred" conversation on no-kill animal shelters and how they could bring that reality to Houston.

For two years, the group researched and studied other no-kill organizations that have been successful in Utah and California.

"The only thing we were certain of at that time was to set about learning from the people who were already successfully doing what we wanted to do," Shuttlesworth said.

"I had always known about Salise's passion for animals, had talked about it with her a number of times over the years," said Friends for Life co-founder Pat Larson, a registrar at Elkins High School in Missouri City, "When she started talking about the no-kill movement, I knew she would be able to pull people together. I knew with her at the helm we could do pretty much anything."

Friends for Life recently celebrated its 500th adoption, that of a 2-year-old black cat named Bitsy.

"She was a stray," Shuttlesworth said. "And her adopter was a family who adopted another cat from us back in January, so they were repeat customers.

"There are a lot of things that make me feel great about my job, but it doesn't get better than that."

Athena and Friends

Athena, meanwhile, is ready to meet her public.

The 13-year-old longhaired tabby cat will be the guest of honor Saturday, May 12, when Friends For Life presents An Evening with Athena and Friends at Café Annie, 1728 Post Oak Blvd.

The event, set for 7-9:30 p.m., aims to generate support and awareness of the organization.

Shuttlesworth's organization has been working to change the way people look at "adoptable" and "unadoptable" animals.

"We asked ourselves why these animals are being turned in to a shelter in the first place," she said. "We learned the first breakdown occurs at the family level in the hearts and minds of people who view these animals as disposable."

The organization also has an animal food bank, training assistance and medical support designed to make adopting and retaining a pet more feasible.

As far as Shuttlesworth is concerned, Athena epitomizes everything Friends For Life has been trying to do. After the tabby came to the organization from an abusive situation at age 12, one of her eyes had to be surgically removed.

"She used to hold her head down," Shuttlesworth said.

But, gradually, she started responding to the attention and affection she was receiving. When Spring Branch artist Marilyn Garber came to the shelter looking for a pet, she and Athena bonded immediately. Now Athena has a new mom.

"Athena, more than any other animal, typifies our view that every life matters," Shuttlesworth said.

The group plans to launch a humane education program for area students in the fall. Volunteers will promote the importance of kind behavior and engage students in brainstorming sessions about helping animals, board member Brooke Summers-Perry said.

"Rather than talking about the challenges facing animals, we want to focus on solutions," the Heights resident said. "We feel we're all born compassionate."

The campaign will include a Web site with a brainstorming tool, interactive games and reward certificates for those who contribute.

The association got the idea from fifth-grade student Taylor Wingfield from the Rice Village area, who suggested it after talking to other youths she knew about finding solutions for Houston's animals.

Plans also are in the works for Friends for Life to build no-kill adoption and education centers — one in Houston and one in a more rural setting.

Gensler, an architecture firm with offices in downtown Houston, has agreed to provide plans for the shelters at no cost.

Members of the firm have talked to Friends For Life about residential facilities for a director and guests, along with isolation and adoption areas for dogs and cats.

"Our firm gives a lot to the community," senior associate Barry Moore said. "We're happy to help on the front end of projects when organizations don't have money."